Jul22

Witchery – Nightside Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on July 19, 2022 in Reviews, Thrash Metal, 31 comments

“With each new vocalist, the band evolved to capture their distinct voices—from the uniqueness of Toxine to the catatonic Legion to current pavement-cracker Angus Norder. And each time, the band traverses a new era. For these newer eras, the band has increased its heaviness to better partner with the vicious vocal contributions. And it’s served them well—until 2017’s run-of-the-mill outlier, I Am Legion. While it was a solid enough album, it was a letdown compared to back-to-back masterpieces, WitchKrieg and In His Infernal Majesty’s Service. Five years later, one wonders where Nightside will lie in the band’s extensive catalog.” We own the Nightside.

Lucid Grave – Cosmic Mountain Review

By Carcharodon on July 19, 2022 in Reviews, Psychedelic Rock, Stoner Metal, 22 comments

“I have recently come to the conclusion that it is sometimes a good exercise to deliberately review two records of the same genre back to back. Not to directly compare the two but to get one into the right mindset and to think about makes a great record in this particular field. And so it is that I find myself reviewing two stoner metal records in consecutive weeks. It’s lucky that I am not trying to compare them, however, as Copenhagen, Denmark’s Lucid Grave could not be more different—within the confines of stoner metal, anyway—from last week’s Holyroller.” Where the mountain meets the desert.

Odyrmos – Odyrmos Review

By Thus Spoke on July 18, 2022 in Reviews, Dungeon Synth, Melodic Black Metal, 10 comments

“”Blackened ambient dungeon synth”—thus read the descriptor for this promo. “Sounds fun,” I thought, even if it meant enjoying it ironically. Odyrmos are quite serious, however. Their name means “heavy lament,” and their chosen medium with which to express this is, oddly, a combination of melodic black metal and medieval dungeon synth.” Dungeon drapes and oceanscapes.

Oceans of Slumber – Starlight and Ash Review

By Huck N Roll on July 18, 2022 in Reviews, Doom Metal, 44 comments

“Anyone who follows Oceans of Slumber on social media is aware of the stylistic evolution the band has been undertaking. The band, notably leaders Cammie Gilbert and Dobber Beverly, have been hammering on the fact that this new album will not be another progressive doom metal outing. Starlight and Ash is the band’s fifth album; fourth with Gilbert at the helm, and second in a row with the current lineup. The fact that they have all stuck around through the turmoil of the last couple of years and have also all bought into the stylistic shift is a positive thing.” Different tides.

Forsaken Eternity – A Kingdom of Ice Review

By Twelve on July 17, 2022 in Reviews, Black Metal, Symphonic Metal, 14 comments

“I like it when black metal is fun. And I know, I know, that’s not “the point” of the genre, except we’re way past the ‘90s and black metal is a whole lot cooler than it used to be. And if you don’t believe me, why not take a gander at that cover art and wilt under the crushing weight of your own doubts? Forsaken Eternity is a symphonic black metal act from the United States, and, despite having been around since 2015, A Kingdom of Ice is their debut full-length album. Here, we see a comparatively young band who plays it fast, plays it cool, and plays it pretty fun.” Forsaken frowny faces.

postcards from new zealand – Nin-an-ak Review

By GardensTale on July 16, 2022 in Reviews, Ambient, Folk Metal, 42 comments

“What does New Zealand have to do with Ancient Sumeria? Not a damn thing, but then again, the Brits didn’t play much of a role in the conquests of Alexander the Great and no one batted an eye when Maiden wrote a track about him. So the subject of choice for Nin-an-ak, an ancient Sumerian goddess of kink and war, doesn’t require much justification. Not as much as the name postcards from new zealand, anyway, nor their preference for not using capitals. And definitely not as much as the genre this promo came tagged with: post-sumerian-chamber-death-prog-core.” Dead tongues, dead letters.

Mirage – The Sequel Review

By Huck N Roll on July 15, 2022 in Reviews, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, 16 comments

“A couple of weeks ago I lamented the fact that the band I was reviewing was releasing albums too fast. Thankfully Mirage are here to average things out. The Sequel is the Danish band’s second album, hot on the heels of their 1985 debut, …And the Earth Shall Crumble. Now that’s an album cycle I can get behind! With eight songs spanning forty-two minutes, that’s an average of 1:08 of songwriting per year. A pretty relaxing schedule to be sure.” Suprise reprise.

Cruentus – Fossilized Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on July 15, 2022 in Reviews, Black Metal, Thrash Metal, 23 comments

“I stare up into the desert sun, already exhausted from the thought of searching the pit for something to review. Covered in sweat and reeling from the hangover induced by the hourly AMG hobo wine IVs, I approach the pit. I close my eyes, anticipating the bite and venom in my veins, and grab the first promo off the top. It reads: Cruentus – Fossilized – black/thrash metal.” Gems in the bone pit.

Maul – Seraphic Punishment Review

By Steel Druhm on July 15, 2022 in Reviews, Death Metal, 61 comments

“There’s a certain level of scummy purulence I crave in my death metal. I want it to sound filthy and vile, toxic and infectious. When the style is performed too cleanly, it feels almost like a PC version of death and it loses its dangerous edge. Fargo-based scuzz merchants Maul speak my offensive language, and on their Seraphic Punishment debut, they set out to dunk you in pus and coffin slime before applying a powder coat of poo-crust. This is the recipe for a bad skin rash and good music.” Enter the chopping Maul.

Pestilent Hex – The Ashen Abhorrence Review

By Itchymenace on July 14, 2022 in Reviews, Black Metal, 18 comments

“Smear on your corpse paint and sharpen up your spiked wristband, we’re setting the Way-Black Machine to 1990’s Oslo. Pestilent Hex is a two-man Finnish passion project that pays serious homage to the second wave of Norwegian black metal. The band remarkably wraps their sound in a cloak of black lace and gothic misery. They clearly love the bands of this era and pay homage to their heroes with detailed fervor. Pestilent Hex spent nearly five years writing and recording The Ashen Abhorrence.” Black and olde.